How to decode a 2021 BMW 540i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2021 BMW 540i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that is assigned to every vehicle manufacturer globally. It forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), offering critical insights into the vehicle’s origin. For the 2021 BMW 540i, the WMI signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG, a prestigious car manufacturer based in Munich, Germany. This indicates that the vehicle falls under the category of passenger cars and aligns with the model years where this specific WMI is applicable, showcasing BMW’s rich history and innovation. The utilization of this WMI underscores the global standardization in vehicle identification, enabling easier recognition and information retrieval about the vehicle’s manufacturing details.
List of WMI Codes for a 2021 BMW 540i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1994-1995, 1997-2003, 2017-2024
- Example VIN: WBA73BJ00MCE96762
- Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Munich
- State or Province:
- Country: Germany
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2021 BMW 540i VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2021 BMW 540i:
| Known VDS for a 2021 BMW 540i | |
|---|---|
| 73BJ0 | 53BJ0 |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2021 BMW 540i VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 2021 BMW 540i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 2021 |
11th Character in the 2021 BMW 540i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2021 BMW 540i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBA73BJ00MCE96762 | ||
| W | Graz | Austria | WBA53BJ00MWW88525 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2021 BMW 540i
The final 6 characters in a 2021 BMW 540i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 540i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2021 BMW 540i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2021 BMW 540i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2021 BMW 540i, where the VIN is typically displayed and can be seen through the bottom of the windshield.
- Inspect the driver’s side door jamb on your BMW 540i for a sticker or plate that displays the VIN, right where the door latches when closed.
- Look under the hood of your 2021 BMW 540i; the VIN may be stamped on the engine block or on a fixed part of the engine compartment.
- Check the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance card, or title/ownership documents for your BMW 540i, as the VIN is always recorded there.
- If your 2021 BMW 540i has a rear wheel well, try looking above the tire; sometimes there is a sticker with the VIN there. 6. Inspect the trunk area of your BMW 540i; sometimes the VIN can be found under the trunk mat or on the trunk lid.
What info can a 2021 BMW 540i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can suggest the vehicle is a 2021 model, which may offer insights into the age and potentially its technological features.
- Fuel Efficiency and Engine Details: Details such as an engine with 335 horsepower and a displacement of approximately 3.0 liters (2997 CC or 182.9 CI) might hint at the vehicle’s performance capabilities as well as its fuel type - in this case, gasoline.
- Safety Features: Advanced safety features including Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) are noted as standard, indicating the vehicle’s potential focus on passenger safety.
- Drive Type and Transmission: The all-wheel-drive (AWD) system coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission could suggest the vehicle’s adaptability to various driving conditions.
- Interior Specifications: With seating for five across two rows and standard features like keyless ignition and adaptive cruise control, the data might reveal convenience and comfort designed into the vehicle.
- Body Class and Design: The vehicle is categorized as a Sedan/Saloon, with a body designed for practicality and aesthetic appeal, potentially supported by features like LED headlamps for enhanced visibility.
- Manufacturing Details: Information such as the manufacturing location being Dingolfing, Germany, may offer insight into the vehicle’s production history and could be an indicator of build quality.
Don’t have your 2021 BMW 540i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2021 BMW 540i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Optional |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 61750.00 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 2997.1940056 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182.9 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.9971940056 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 335 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Centering Assistance | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | 540i |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belt: All Positions; Front/Rear: Pretensioner / Head Inflatable Restraint: Rear Outboard Driver-side & Rear Outboard Passenger-side |
| Parking Assist | Optional |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 8 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | 540i xDrive |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBA73BJ0*MC |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 117.10 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 18 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 18 |
| Sample_VIN | WBA73BJ00MCE96762 |
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